Wrench with fluid draining provision

ABSTRACT

A wrench for removing drain plugs, opening or bleeding hydraulic valves or the like when fluid is released. The wrench is provided with an elongated tubular conduit continuous with the head of the wrench so that the released fluid enters the wrench and flows through the tubular conduit to a remote location for storage or disposal purposes.

United States Patent Truelove 1 July 18, 1972 [54] WRENCH WITH FLUID DRAINING Reference-S Cited PROVISION UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] Inventor: Edward L. Truelove, 14836 Calahan St., 3,301,282 l/ 1967 Fresolone 188/352 X Panorama City, Calif. 91402 Primary Examiner-Henry T. Klinksiek [22] Filed. Sept. 16, 1970 Attorney oerald L Price [21] Appl. No.: 72,645 [57] ABSTRACT A wrench for removing drain plugs, opening or bleeding [52] U.S. Cl ..2Sl/ 148, 81/121, 188/352, hydraulic valves or the like when fluid is released. The wrench 141/98 is provided with an elongated tubular conduit continuous with [51] Int. Cl. ..5F16k 51/00 the head of the wre ch so that the released fluid enters the of Search u1.41/98; 81/121; wrench and flows through the tubular conduit to a remote lo- 25 1/ 148 cation for storage or disposal purposes.

2 Clairrs, 4 Drawing Figures WRENCH wmr FLUID DRAINING PROVISION BACKGROUND-OF THE INVENTION v The present invention relates generally to wrenches and similar tools for rotating threaded members, and more particularly to an improved wrench for use in loosening or removing fittings, drain plugs, petcocks or the like whereby fluid will be released as a result of said loosening or removal.

In many situations, a mechanic encounters the situation where the device he is working on must be drained of fluid either for the purpose of cleaning or replacing the fluid, or for permitting the repair or replacement of parts relative to the device. For example, in the automotive and aircraft fields, the situation of fluid removal predicated upon replacement of the fluid or as a part of a repair or disassembly procedure is exemplified by the removal of engine or transmission oil and hydraulic fluid used in brake systems.

Often, when a repair is being attended to on an engine or transmission that has recently been provided with new oil, it is desired to use the oil after the repair and accordingly, it must be drained in a manner that would permit this. The reuse of hydraulic fluid occurs even more frequently since hydraulic fluid does not normally get replaced but only replenished so as to replace fluid loss due to leakage or the like.

In order to drain fluid from engines, transmissions, hydraulic systems or the like, it is necessary to provide a container with a funnel shaped or wide opening to catch the fluid when the drain plug or valve is loosened or removed.

While there are a number of devices of this type available, they are not always entirely satisfactory, especially when there is limited working space available. Another disadvantage is that dirt and other foreign particles frequently fall into the container at the same time the fluid is draining, thereby contaminating the fluid and requiring filtering if the fluid is to be reused.

There have also been special wrenches such as those disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. l,560,254 and 1,581,633 with funnels or funnel shaped containers attached to and underlying a wrench for draining oil from automobiles, however, these devices were primarily for horizontally disposed petcocks with a limited amount of rotation and could not function with a drain plug or valve requiring considerable rotation and where the fluid exits in the same direction as the disposition of the plug or valve. Furthermore, these prior art devices would not preclude the fluid drained thereby from becomming contaminated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the general aim of the present invention to provide a new and improved wrench for use in applications such as fluid draining and hydraulic system bleeding, which also contains the released fluid and conducts same to a remote location for storage or disposed purposes. A related object of the invention is to provide an improved wrench of the aforestated type which contains and directs the released fluid in a closed manner thereby eliminating contamination of the released fluid.

It is another object of the invention to provide a relatively low cost wrench to accomplish the aforestated functions and also being of a compact design thereby permitting its use in virtually any application that a conventional wrench could be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial perspective view, of an exemplary wrench embodying the features of the present invention, here shown being used for bleeding a hydraulic brake system and preserving the hydraulic fluid for reuse;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front view of the exemplary wrench depicted in FIG. 1, taken substantially along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section view of an exemplary wrench similar to FIG. 2 but here illustrating a modified wrench embodying the features of the present invention.

While the present invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, of which the appended claims are intended to cover, those portions of the following description directed specifically to structural features, will be referenced to the illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring initially to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an exemplary wrench, generally indicated at 10, is illustrated, the wrench including a head 11 of the socket type and a handle 12, affixed to the head 11.

In accordance with one of the important aspects of the present invention, provision is made for containing fluid released as a result of opening a valve or removing a drain plug with the wrench and conducting same to a remote location for storage or disposal purposes. This is accomplished by attacking a conduit 14 as a continuation of the hexagonal drain plug or valve engaging portion 15 of the wrench head 1]. In the exemplary apparatus, the conduit 14 is a length of tubing which is secured to the rear portion of transition member 16.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the forward portion of transition member 16 is affixed to the interior of the hexagonal engaging portion 15 by an interference fit created between the bottom wall 18 of the hexagonal engaging portion 15 and a groove 19 formed in the transition member. In order to facilitate assembly, it is contemplated that the transition member 16 can be formed out of a flexible, oil resistant material such as neoprene or polyethylene so that it can be readily snapped into place. The tubing comprising conduit 14 could also be of a similar material and sized to frictionally fit on the rear portion of the transition member 16.

When it is desired to store and re-use the fluid, a container such as plastic bag 21 could also be provided to engage the opposite end of the conduit 14.

In order to bleed a hydraulic system with a bleeding valve as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wrench 10 is used in the same manner as a conventional socket wrench to loosen the valve. As shown in FIG. 2, the enlarged head of the bleeding valve seats in the forward portion of transition member 16 so that when the bleeding valve is loosened, all the fluid existing the bleeding valve is directed through the transition member into the conduit 14.

Turning next to FIG. 4, there is shown a slightly modified type of wrench 10a which is essentially similar in construction and operation to the wrench 10 described above and also embodying the present invention. In view of the similarity between the two exemplary fixtures of the invention, like parts in both fixtures will be designated by different reference numerals.

The modified type of wrench 10a is intended for application where a drain plug is completely removed in contrast to just loosening a bleeding valve as heretofore described. In order to prevent excessive fluid leakage, the interior of the hexagonal engaging portion 15a is sized so as to permit the drain plug to drop into the interior of the transition chamber 16a upon removal and it can remain there until all the fluid is drained. In order to prevent the drain plug from blocking the fluid from exiting the rear portion of the transition member 16a, a screen 22 can be inserted or integrally formed to prevent the drain plug from dropping too low.

While not shown, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the instant art, that the wrench head 11 can be formed in any desired shape so as to accommodate a specialized valve or drain plug and can also be provided in a ratchet construction to eliminate complete rotation of the handle. Furthermore, a

lnrnns nun other end thereof in operative communication with an elongated conduit whereby when the drain plug or the like is inserted into the said one end of the head portion and sealingly received by said portion of said transition member, the transition member conducts fluid from the drain plug through the wrench to the elongated conduit.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim I wherein said portion of said transition member sealingly receives a drain plug or the like without deforming from its original configuration.

III I! III F i lOl045 0398 

1. A wrench comprising a tubular head portion, one end of the head portion having a noncircular socket adapted to receive a complimentary member therein, a tubular transition member within said head portion with one end thereof proximate to said one end of head portion and having a portion adapted to sealingly receive a drain plug or the like, and the other end thereof in operative communication with an elongated conduit whereby when the drain plug or the like is inserted into the said one end of the head portion and sealingly received by said portion of said transition member, the transition member conducts fluid from the drain plug through the wrench to the elongated conduit.
 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said portion of said transition member sealingly receives a drain plug or the like without deforming from its original configuration. 